Offender headed back to prison

April 17, 2013

NILES -- A Buchanan man is going to prison after breaking into a Niles area home to steal items.

Brandon Lea Jones, 28, pleaded guilty to breaking and entering a building with intent to commit larceny as a habitual offender and was sentenced Monday to 14 months in prison. He was given credit for 82 days already served and must pay $1,998 in fines, costs and restitution.

The incident occurred Jan. 5 at a home on Fort Street in Niles Township. Police found him after they followed his footprints in the snow.

Berrien County Trial Judge Dennis Wiley departed from sentencing guidelines in sending Jones to prison. Wiley said the guidelines didn't take into account that Jones had previously been on probation and violated it or the fact that he had previously been sentenced to prison and was only 11 months off parole when he committed this offense.